Backwards Crossovers | Tutorial

Backwards crossovers are a nice-to-have skill for recreational skaters and an essential basic for hockey players because they are a very powerful skating technique. How powerful they are and how you can easily learn them I will show you right after the intro. Let's start with a short demonstration of how powerful backwards crossovers are. I will go backwards from one blue line to the other, straight backwards and as a comparison with crossovers. The difference speaks for itself. Now let's learn it. Step 1. Requirements. You have to be a good and safe skater that is able to stop and go backwards safely. If you can't skate backwards safely, a tutorial is linked below. Forwards and backwards crossovers are very similar, so being able to do forwards crossovers is the base for doing it backwards. A tutorial for that is also linked below. If you got those skills already, then it's time for… Step 2. The technique. I will start the explanation with backwards crossovers to my left side, which means going clockwise. So for going to the left side, the first step is that the right foot passes the left foot in front and then the left foot goes back into the standard position behind the right foot. Again, right foot passes the left foot, left foot passes the right foot. Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. So when I finally do the crossovers, as you can see, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. Again, a little bit faster, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. And now as slow as I can do it, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. So this is the basic step you have to practice at first. Passing with the right foot in front of the left foot and then the left foot goes back. And to the other side, it's basically the same, just the left foot is now passing the right foot and the right foot is going back behind. Again, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. So in the skating motion, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. Sorry I can't do it slower. And if this video is helpful for you, please don't forget to subscribe. Step number 3. Add speed. We'll start with crossovers to my left side again. Go backwards and now cross with your right foot over the left foot and then go back with the left foot behind the right foot. Try this a few times and you will notice that you are not just doing a turn, but you also increase your speed from the pushing motions of your feet. The next step is practice. You have to develop a feeling for that and this will take some time. Be patient and practice both sides equally. And whenever you go backwards, watch out where you are going by looking over the inside shoulder. If you do a turn to the left, look over your left shoulder. Same on the right side. If you want to refresh your basic skills, check out my tutorial playlist and if this video was helpful for you, please consider subscribing and hit the like button for the algorithm. Feel free to check out my merch and my insta. That's it for today guys. See ya!